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4 References, Explained, In Jordan Peele's 'Us'

"If you wanna get crazy, we can get crazy."

Kiarrra

Apr 02, 2019

Arizona State University

4 References, Explained, In Jordan Peele's 'Us'

Universal Pictures / YouTube

Jordan Peele's horror/thriller film "Us" hit theaters on March 22 this year. The movie's basic plot is a family encounters their doppelgängers and has to fight for their lives. However, if you've seen the movie you know there is so much more to it. There is social meaning, pop culture references and the overall symbolism makes "Us" stand out. Here are four things you might have missed in the film.

1. Adelaide's carnival prize.

YouTube

The movie starts with a young girl and her family at a carnival. The girl's father wins her prize at a booth and the girl chooses prize 11 (which is a reference in itself if you watched the movie). Prize 11 is a Thriller t-shirt. Not only is the Michael Jackson music video appropriate for the time, but it is appropriate in meaning. Michael Jackson's character in Thriller turns into a zombie with other creatures, but by the end, everything goes back to normal- so it seems. At the end, Michael flashes a smile at the camera as an evil character in disguise.

2. 11:11.

YouTube

When a young Adelaide decides to explore the carnival without her parents, she runs into a man holding a sign with Jeremiah 11:11 written on it. The biblical verse is "Therefore this is what the Lord says: "I will bring on them a disaster they cannot escape. Although they cry out to me, I will not listen to them." 11:11 appears everywhere in the movie, from the sports game husband Gabe watches to the time when Adelaide tucks Jason into bed. But more than that verse, the number 11 has a meaning that represents the movie extremely well. On Insider's YouTube channel, they explain that 11 is the number of the twin flames. Not to be mixed up with soulmates but it means that everyone has a spiritual doppelganger, someone exactly like them at the core. The individuals may appear different on the outside and could have different personalities, but they are each other at the core.

3. Hands Across America.

YouTube

For a little background, Hands Across America was a movement in the 1980s that hoped to raise $100 million to combat homelessness and hunger. $36 million was raised, and only $15 million was distributed to the American people. The commercial for the campaign featured Americans holding hands from coast to coast. This is referenced when the doppelgangers or the "Tethered" rise and hold each other's hands or when Red (Adelaide's doppelganger) make paper puppets of individuals holding hands. On a deeper meaning, this could be Peele's way of highlighting American culture. While we often carry the facade of being mixing pot and all united, it is clear in the real world that privileged people are always a few steps ahead. That's part of the masterpiece of the "Tethered," they are human beings who are not given the same opportunities of those who live above ground. Like Red says early on "We are Americans."

4. The Twilight Zone.

YouTube

While there are so many references to horror movies (The Shining, Jaws, Lost Boys, CHUD) and pop culture in general (Thriller, Guess Who?, Home Alone), the one that may be most relevant to the director, writer and producer Jordan Peele is The Twilight Zone inspiration. Peele told Rolling Stone that the idea for the doppelgangers came from a 1960 episode of The Twilight Zone where a woman sees someone who looks exactly like herself at a train station and thinks the woman is trying to kill her. This is important to Peele himself because he is behind the reboot of the show this spring.

Living Away From Home, As Described By 'Friends'

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"Friends" maybe didn’t have everything right or realistic all the time, but they did have enough episodes to create countless reaction GIFs and enough awesomeness to create, well, the legacy they did. Something else that is timeless, a little rough, but memorable? Living away from the comforts of home. Whether you have an apartment, a dorm, your first house, or some sort of residence that is not the house you grew up in, I’m sure you can relate to most of these!

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No matter how long your class is, there's always time for the mind to wander. Much like taking a shower or trying to fall asleep, sitting in a classroom can be a time when you get some of your best ideas. But, more than likely, you're probably just trying to mentally cope with listening to a boring lecturer drone on and on. Perhaps some of the following Aristotle-esque thoughts have popped into your head during class.

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Advice To Live By As Told By Bob's Burgers

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Bob's Burgers is arguably one of the best and most well-written shows on tv today. That, and it's just plain hilarious. From Louise's crazy antics to Tina's deadpan self-confidence, whether they are planning ways to take over school or craft better burgers, the Belchers know how to have fun. They may not be anywhere close to organized or put together, but they do offer up some wise words once and awhile.

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4 References, Explained, In Jordan Peele's 'Us'

"If you wanna get crazy, we can get crazy."

In This Article:

1. Adelaide's carnival prize.

2. 11:11.

3. Hands Across America.

4. The Twilight Zone.

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Sleepovers are not a thing. They're just not.

1. You only ask things once.

2. Seriously, you only ask once.

3. When you do muster up the courage to ask your parents for something, you creep around and wait until they’re in a good mood.

4. Before you get that final yes, you have to go through an interview.

5. If you ever got “the eye,” you knew you were screwed.

6. You were always the first to leave your group of friends when hanging out.

7. If you say you will be home at a certain time, you better be home at that time.

8. Seeing a missed call from your parents sends fear and horror through your veins.

9. If relatives are coming over to the house, your room better be clean.

10. You are careful about what jokes you share with your parents.

11. "You’re not an adult until you turn 18! You can do whatever you want then!"

12. If plans change while you’re out, you better text or call.

13. Don’t talk back. Ever.

14. When you’re called by your full name, you’re in deep trouble.

15. Don’t make them call your name twice.

16. Sleepovers are not a thing.

17. Despite all of these things, you know your parents love you.

For better or for worse

1. Pets

2. Mornings

3. Mistakes

4. Cooking for yourself

5. Hosting

6. Taking care of yourself

7. Holidays

8. Roommates

9. Keeping focused and getting stuff done

10. Cleaning

11. Social life

No, really. I'm not mad. Just hungry.

1. You’re tired of people asking you if you know what “RBF” stands for every time you zone out.

2. You’re constantly using the excuse, “I’m just tired” when people ask you if you’re mad.

3. Or “I’m just thinking.”

4. In fact, you’re rarely ever actually mad.

5. But when you are, people usually can’t tell.

6. You find other people with RBF’s and have to convince yourself that you don’t look like them.

7. You constantly remind yourself, “At least I’m not a psycho.”

Some of your best ideas come through boredom.

1. If the professor is late by one minute, I'm leaving.

2. Oh crap, that's due TODAY?!

3. Can I nap in here?

4. I wonder what they're serving at the cafeteria.

5. How much does my teacher even get paid?

6. How much will I get paid?

7. This is the longest 50 minutes of my life.

8. Maybe if I call mom, she'll give me money.

9. How much do street performers make anyway?

10. Why am I here? I could be a street performer by now.

11. Oh right, I'm not talented.

The Belchers hold the key to a better life.

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